Epidermal Growth Factor – What Is EGF?

Epidermal Growth Factor – What Is EGF?

The name sounds like something out of sci-fi — Epidermal Growth Factor — but in fact, this polypeptide has been known about for decades and naturally exists in your body. Increasingly, we’re seeing skincare products containing EGF and its close cousin, FGF (fibroblast growth factor) on the market. So what exactly is EGF, and how does it work?

EGF is a polypeptide, a chain of amino acids. It binds to the EGF receptors in your skin cells, which causes various effects such as increased cell proliferation and differentiation — in short, EGF is essential for healing and regenerating the skin on a cellular level. Its benefits for wound healing have become so recognized in the medical field that research into the healing benefits of EGF won the Nobel Prize in 1986. EGF and related polypeptides such as FGF are used in wound and burn treatment with demonstrable results.

EGF and FGF in Skin Care

In the skincare field, EGF is one of the leading biotechnologies in anti-aging and regenerating products. EGF and FGF are capable of stimulating the growth of epidermal cells and potentially transforming skin to look younger, smoother, and more elastic. There may also be the potential to reverse damage from the sun or from acne.

In addition to being used successfully for medical applications, promising clinical trials to indicate that EGF is effective in decreasing wrinkles and visible skin aging. Research also shows that some EGF products can decrease brown and red spots on the skin as well as improve skin texture.

Research on EGF and FGF

For instance, a study on EGF involving women aged 29 to 75 showed that topical application of EGF for 3 months improved the appearance of wrinkles, smoothed skin texture, reduced pore size, and reduced the appearance of sun damage and hyperpigmentation! All without causing any significant side effects.

In another study, EGF significantly improved the appearance of atrophic acne scars(known as ice-pick scars), which really don’t respond to other types of topical treatment. These depressed areas of the skin became visibly shallower and less apparent on patients who used an EGF serum for 3 months.

EGF targets skin cells at the top layer of skin, the epidermis, while FGF targets fibroblasts, the underlying skin structure at the deeper level of the dermis. FGF has been shown to increase the production of fibroblasts as well as essential skin substances such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin. Instead of applying those substances topically to the skin, FGF actually helps your skin to manufacture more on its own!

Because EGF and FGF target different parts of the skin (the epidermis and the dermis), they are especially effective when used together.

Swanicoco EGF and FGF Ampoules

Swanicoco, one of our newest brand launches, is an innovative K Beauty brand that features the best in cutting-edge biotechnology along with traditional herbs. They have a highly-concentrated and pure EGF ampoule and FGF ampoule with minimal ingredients, so as to let the EGF and FGF ingredients shine. These cruelty-free products are made of plant-based EGF and FGF, and visibly smooth the skin for a younger and more elastic complexion. Use them together for maximum effectiveness!

Skincare blogger Vanity Rex has an excellent review of the EGF and FGF ampoules — I would highly recommend checking it out!